Shiv 'B9'

This handmade weapon ("shiv") was created by a prisoner at Pentridge Prison and found in a cell in B Division.

This example was made from a metal butter knife—the type issued to prisoners for their meals—which has been reshaped into a weapon. The handle is engraved with “B9,” which may refer to a cell number.

Objects like this were typically fashioned from everyday materials—often metal or plastic—and carefully concealed.

Length: 20cm

Held in Pentridge Prison online Museum Collection.

*Shiv: 1. n A homemade weapon; usually a stabbing implement. 

(Note that “shank” is an Americanism that is not generally used by Victorian prisoners). 2. (Macquarie Dictionary) noun British Colloquial a knife [alteration of chiv blade, from Gipsy]

Boner: 1. A “shiv”, especially one used as a stabbing implement. See “shiv”.

*‘The Dictionary of Victorian Prison Slang, 2014.